John looked at Ezra and smiled like this was exactly what he had wanted.
“Is it?” He asked. “Or have I just started saying what the pack already feels.”
A murmur moved through the crowd and I hated how that felt because it meant he was not speaking into empty air. He had found enough uncertainty to push on it in public. Ezra did not take the bait. He didn’t charge the platform and he did not raise his voice even though the bond told me how much he wanted to.
“This gathering was not sanctioned.” Ezra said. “Disperse.”
A younger warrior near the front shifted at once. An older one near John did not move. Division. So John lifted one hand toward the crowd.
“Do you see?” He said. “Orders without trust and command without respect.”
“That’s bullshit.” Someone snapped from the left.
I turn
